Delhi Congress Calls Capital’s Pollution Crisis a ‘Health Emergency’

• Delhi Congress leaders staged a symbolic protest against worsening air quality.
• AQI touched 335, placing the capital in the “very poor” category.
• Party alleges workers losing livelihood due to GRAP-III restrictions.
• Congress recalls Sheila Dikshit-era reforms, slams AAP for weak transport measures.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st Dec: Delhi Congress leaders staged a dramatic protest on Wednesday, wearing masks and carrying oxygen cylinders to draw attention to the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. The party urged the ruling BJP to act immediately to pull the city out of what they described as a “health emergency.”

Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 335 on Wednesday morning, placing it in the “very poor” category for the 12th consecutive day.

Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav said the party will submit a memorandum to the Delhi government over the severe pollution levels. “As you can see, our leaders are sitting with oxygen cylinders. This is symbolic for now, but the way Delhi is heading, the day isn’t far when every citizen will need to carry an oxygen cylinder to survive,” he said.

Yadav raised concerns over construction workers losing wages due to GRAP-III restrictions. “The moment GRAP-III is invoked, construction stops. Workers face pollution on one hand and loss of livelihood on the other,” he noted, adding that hospitals are packed with patients suffering from respiratory illnesses.

He also reminded the government of the achievements during former chief minister Sheila Dikshit’s tenure, citing the shift from diesel to CNG buses and the timely completion of Metro Phase I and II. Yadav criticised the previous AAP government for failing to strengthen Delhi’s public transport network.

Other party leaders echoed the sentiment, calling the current pollution levels nothing short of a public health emergency.